diet

Hunger is a fact of life. This trait evolved to ensure that we live for as long as possible. However, in modern times, it can be an inconvenience as well as a primal survival mechanism. For this reason, we will uncover the ways how to curb hunger.

There are different reasons why we may want to curb hunger: health, losing weight, that uncomfortable feeling after overeating or ‘stomach growls’ during an important meeting. Whatever the reason, there are simple ways to prevent this from happening.

In this article, we have put together the best solutions for curbing hunger. Most are easy lifestyle adjustments and involve little to no cost.

This physiological hunger is a response to an actual requirement for food. This in itself is not an issue. However, when overeating and snacking occurs, there is more happening in the brain than simple hunger pangs.

Mental Hunger

We enjoy a meal because it leaves us feeling satisfied. But there is more to it than having enough fuel to power you through to your next meal. Eating food can provide us with a kick and a very powerful one at that.

Foods high in fat and sugar act to release opioids into the body. This creates feelings of happiness, well-being and even euphoria. Studies have discovered that an excessive attachment to these feelings operates similarly to drug cravings in addicts. This can include the awful feeling of withdrawal.

When we fulfill these hunger pangs, the body provides us with a ‘reward.’ Dopamine is released - the hormone responsible for sexual pleasure. Not only does the food please us, but we receive further enjoyment after the food is consumed.

When looking at how to curb hunger, both of these processes need to be addressed.

How to Curb Hunger

Depending on your lifestyle, and the challenges you face staving off cravings, at least one of these tips will help you feel less hungry.

Eat Something

It may sound obvious, but eating can sometimes be the best solution. The secret is to eat foods that leave you feeling satisfied, meaning that you are less likely to overindulge or snack between meals.

Here are the best foods how to curb hunger:

Fiber-based - foods that are high in fiber such as beans, peas or lentils are not only good for digestion but have been shown in studies to reduce hunger and lead to lower body weight

Spicy foods - not just for adding flavor to meals, spices such as cayenne and chili have proven in trials to reduce appetite. Furthermore, if you are looking to lose weight, they have fat burning properties

Dark chocolate - recent studies have shown that dark chocolate works as an appetite suppressant. It is so powerful that even smelling this treatment reduces the desire for food by inhibiting ghrelin

Protein foods - seafood, eggs, and meat are all high in protein and promote a feeling of fullness. Also, if you are exercising regularly, protein is an excellent way to build firm and toned muscle

Become Mindful of Eating

Mindfulness, as an approach to improving overall well-being, has become increasingly popular during the past decade. With its origins in Zen Buddhism, this technique includes the process of eating.

Mindfulness involves concentrating solely on your present actions. For example, if someone is talking to you, at the same time, you should not be thinking about how to solve that difficult problem at work tomorrow.

Too often when we eat, the process accompanies another action. We eat while reading a book, watching the television or using social media. Instead, mindful eating involves doing nothing but consuming the food, concentrating on its flavors and enjoying every mouthful.

Studies have shown that eating food mindfully increases pleasure, reduces appetite and can help how to curb hunger.

Drink More Water

Staying hydrated has numerous health benefits. In addition to an increase in energy, drinking a sufficient amount of water can leave you feeling more alert while improving your skin and suppressing the appetite.

However, this does come with a word of caution. Drinking constantly can have the opposite effect. Water in the stomach can increase the rate of digestion, which may lead to you feeling hungry again.

The best time to drink water is directly before your meal. Recent trials indicated that people who consumed 17 oz. of water (two cups) before a meal ate nearly 25 percent less than those who did not drink.

Use an Appetite Suppressant Supplement

This does involve some cost, but for many people, it works as an invaluable way how to curb hunger - especially when trying to lose weight.

Appetite suppressants are available without the prescription and come with little to no side effects. These supplements are usually sold in pill form and contain natural ingredients that are scientifically proven to inhibit hunger. Usually, they are taken twice a day - once in the morning and again around lunchtime.

When looking for an effective appetite suppressant, seek out those which contain glucomannan, garcinia cambogia and raspberry ketones - all proven and powerful suppressants.

Also, if you are looking for weight loss, many of these supplements include fat- burning and energy-boosting ingredients.

Exercise

If you are still looking for ways how to curb hunger, why not try to exercise? Aerobic exercise improves health and can reduce food cravings. It has been shown that intense workouts inhibit the hormone ghrelin, which sends the signal to the brain that the body requires food.

For weight loss, this can have positive effects. It was once thought that high energy expenditure led the body to crave food to replace lost calories. Therefore, it provided no benefit if this desire was fulfilled. However, new studies illustrate that exercise can create an energy imbalance; that is, you are using more calories than you consume.

Kitchenware

Selecting what plates and cutlery to use for meal times has been shown to reduce food intake and increase the feeling of satiety.

The process is 100 percent psychological, but then again, so are the cravings mentioned earlier in this article.

The steps to take are as follows:

Use Small Plates

This has two effects. First, seeing food on a small plate fools the brain into thinking it is eating more food volume. Second, the larger the plate, the more likely you are to put more food on it.

Possibly originating from childhood, when we were taught to finish our meals before play was allowed - a large full plate may be finished despite already being satisfied.

Use Contrasting Colors

Some studies have shown that people consume less and feel more satisfied when the color of the plate contrasts with that of the food. For example, eating pasta from a dark blue or black plate is more satisfying than eating from a white plate. It could be that the contrast provides the illusion there is more food.

Use a Large Fork

Another good way how to curb hunger is utilizing a large fork. It is believed that when using a small fork, people feel they are not getting a sufficient amount of food.

Research has shown that people with larger forks eat on average 10 percent less than those with smaller utensils.

Avoid Stress

It is easy to say ‘don’t be stressed’ but consciously trying to control this state of mind can reduce hunger.

When we are stressed, the body releases cortisol - the ‘fight-or-flight hormone.’ If we are in a life-threatening situation, this can prove very useful. However, if we are stressed by other factors, such as work, running or fighting, it can be counterproductive.

Studies have shown that cortisol stimulates hunger and a desire to ‘binge eat.’ Therefore, avoiding or alleviating stress can curb this cortisol-related craving. Consider meditation, exercise and spending more time with friends and family.

Drink Tea and Coffee

As already mentioned in this ‘How to Curb Hunger’ article, an increase in water intake can, in some circumstances, reduce appetite. However, tea and coffee contain an additional bonus that can inhibit hunger.

Both of these drinks contain caffeine. This stimulant has proven appetite-suppressing abilities. But, as with all things in life, do not overdo it. If you become addicted to caffeine, the crashes can lead to stress or depression, both of which stimulate hunger.

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